National News Alerts

Latest News

  • What do Reform UK voters say?

    The views of Reform UK voters is now of particular importance due to the election outcome. A resounding result of five MP’s means that it’s able to make a start on its ambitions in Parliament.

    The trouble is that the views of its voters need to be made clear, as it doesn’t have a traditional support base to begin with or anything like a supporter database at all either.

    However, by the marvels of modern polling companies it’s possible to make a start and take a look at what might be on the minds of those who voted Reform UK for the first time.

    According to data by YouGov, a poll taken during 18-19 June shows strong sympathies that exist within (projected) Reform UK voters and a likely indication of what they expect now.

    Its platform against uncontrolled immigration is in line with the Conservative Party whose 83% against is matched and bested by 93% for Reform UK.

    This is a clear indication of where its voters may want to go next.

    It’s also outpolling the Tories on leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) at 78% in support against a total of 55% for the Tories.

    It seems as though Reform UK voters are far more radical.

    In a far stronger vote of confidence, it says 96% of Reform UK voters want to return migrants across the English Channel. This is similar to 88% for the Tories.

    It’s clear conservatives in general want an end to uncontrolled immigration.

    In short it looks as though it’s fair to say Reform UK voters are strongly conservatively minded. However, it’s not clear what it means for the Conservative Party as it seeks a new leader.

  • Prison service: Beds and places

    The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) have produced statistics today in a report entitled Adult Male Population and Capacity Release which covers the reach of its prison estate in terms of capacity.

    It shows a stagnant if declining rate of usable places within a range of hundreds since the start of this year.

    Useable Operational Capacity chart

    It indicates thousands of more places may be needed to allay fears of overcrowding to a point of exceeding capacity and a need to seek alternative arrangements in the justice system.

  • Al fresco eating

    The practice of eating outside is perhaps not always refined. A quick trip to a park to eat a packed lunch is also – technically – the same thing.

    However al fresco dining as it’s called is a growing and increasingly attractive alternative.

    It’s the practice of taking yourself to an upmarket eatery and choosing from a menu and sitting outside with your order. It’s basically the same thing as indoor restaurant dining.

    The opportunities for this are limited but the potential is increasingly visible.

    There are holidays abroad on offer that mainly appeal because of the attractiveness of taking time out (literally) to eat under different skies. This is different from the same colour and decor at home.

    The potential of restaurants to provide this is limited however.

    The street space outdoors is extremely restricting in places and especially tightly packed.

    The pavements in London for example don’t offer a wide variety of opportunities for this and its public squares are often kept cleared for events or general gatherings of people such as international visitors.

    The premier nature of it is also not apparent in an often soaked local natural environment and so it makes sense to offer more tables indoors than out.

    This is a just a peculiarity of time and place.

    We all want to visit on warm summer days of brightness and sunshine.

    Yet the ordinary everyday life of any large metropolis is the stream of office workers or business people seeking a bite to eat in a location unfamiliar to the stresses and strains of modern day living.

  • Wimbledon in full swing

  • The curse of conflation

    The news of another PopCon conference is droll news for those tired of more of it.

    The notion that conservatives can work their way out of another mess is old news. It’s really another stamp on a missive that is delivered but neither read nor cared about.

    The icons of the Conservative Party are trying desperately to shore up a ship that doesn’t go away. It was due to sink under William Hague, Michael Howard, Ian Duncan Smith – and allegedly even Michael Portillo.

    It’s a recourse to a defensive position that is needless.

    The fact is the majority of Tory voters want the Tory party, they just don’t agree this time.

    A vote for Reform UK is hardly a swing to Labour and to the left. Nigel Farage & Co. represent a brand of conservatism that is fresh, new, and exciting but in ways that have yet to be explained.

    The point is not to see the future but explore – and explain – the present.

    The curse of conflation is seeing conservatives conflate every known issue and to come up with solutions to its problems. The only problem I can see is the need for a new leader.

  • The mystery of a Russian’s yacht

    I was on a walk through Canary Wharf yesterday and spotted this beauty in the waters. It’s allegedly owned by a “Russian national” according to the National Crime Agency, and sits there waiting for its owner since its “detention” following sanctions of Russia and allies of Putin.

    Captured in South Dock, Canary Wharf

    The visible effects of the Ukraine war are obvious to see in media reports and online. Yet the sight of a vessel of alleged Russian origin moored still in UK waters brings it home a little further. This is a genuine war with genuine consequences.

  • Farage is back

    Nigel Farage made one of his first contributions to the chamber in the House of Commons today as an elected MP.

    He paid tribute to the service of Sir Lindsay Hoyle – who is to remain as Speaker of the House – and disparaged John Bercow, his predecessor in the role.

    “Mr Speaker-Elect, thank you very much. We are the new kids on the block. We have no experience in this Parliament whatsoever, even though some of us have tried many times over the years to get here, so we cannot judge you from working in this place, but we can judge you from how the outside world sees you. I mean not just the United Kingdom but the world, because Prime Minister’s question time is global, box office politics. It is pretty clear to everyone that you act with great neutrality and that you have brought tremendous dignity to the role as Speaker, so we absolutely endorse you entirely for this job. That is, I must say, in marked contrast to the little man who was there before you, who besmirched the office so dreadfully in doing his best to overturn the biggest democratic result in the history of the country. We support you fully, Sir.”

    His successful campaign in the constituency of Clacton has boosted his chances of Reform UK having an influence over the way the nation is governed.

  • ‘ChessFest’ hits London

    A public celebration of chess hit London’s Trafalgar Square yesterday. It was attended by a large number of people. There were chess sets set up for members of the public to use to challenge each other.

    There was also entertainment on offer in a live chess tournament dramatic play.

    Playing chess
    A chess set with instructions

    The value of chess was highlighted by Rishi Sunak, former Prime Minister, who pledged nearly £1 million for chess tables in public parks and training for UK players.

  • Conservatives: Total results

    The total outcome for the Conservatives this election is remarkable considering past performance.

    The final tally shows a sharp drop in its number of seats in Westminster. In comparison to previous general elections, the Tories have lost at least 150 seats.

    In a few past elections the tally has been so high it makes 2024 look like a washout.

    Conservative Party’s seat share

  • People traffickers identified in Belgium

    Today, a further ‘sting’ operation has been conducted. Further significant figures in people trafficking circles have been exposed.

    This footage was taken largely at Bruxelles-Midi railway station.

    It proves progress can be made if effort is put into it. The suspects who are at large are finally properly identified for the first time.

  • The Tory problem

    The Tories have a distinct problem with big name figures. This is because if they lose it appears a bigger loss than usual. Their tenure isn’t measured it’s just calculated.

    It isn’t about an office but a standpoint.

    The problem reared its head this election. The Tories lost Jacob Rees-Mogg, Johnny Mercer, and Liam Fox as well as other such names.

    There’s even the issue of Steve Baker having gone missing.

    The gaps are noticeable but this is because of how the party is configured. In a Tory community a larger name makes more profit for the party and draws in members and attention.

    It makes media sense in other words.

    This election saw a lot of to and fro that didn’t sit well with a Conservative mindset. It’s better to settle down and focus than dart between issues – and people – finding fault and picking fights.

    The Tories didn’t sound great and the betting scandal was lousy.

    It tarnished their reputation somewhat, and the doorstep isn’t a kind place already for a Tory.

    The question is how the streets can be made Tory again.

  • People trafficking investigation breakthrough

    A major breakthrough has occurred today regarding the leadership aspect of the people trafficking ring responsible for our English Channel crossings problem.

    The photo above captures a man on the move in London. It was taken a short while after another operative was discovered in another part of the city.

  • People trafficking ‘win’

    This is a photo of a man captured today loitering in the centre of London. He is known to be involved ‘underground’ in various criminal networks.

    His active involvement in people trafficking is not yet fully known. He is however under suspicion of acting as a ‘point of contact’ for traffickers at large.

  • Journalism in focus: Julian Assange

  • The mood on public transport